Exercise device and method

ABSTRACT

An exercise device according to which at least one weight is disposed in the enclosure and is locked in the enclosure.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to an exercise device not unlike a kettlebell, and a method of adjusting the weight of same.

A standard kettlebell is a generally spherically-shaped cast iron weight with a handle attached. With a variety of functional motions, one can swing, pull and press a kettlebell between several positions (such as swing, rack, and lock) to achieve a wide range of fast, convenient and fluid workouts.

However, it is often desirable to change weights during a workout, depending on the particular exercise involved. This requires changing to a different kettlebell corresponding to the desired weight. Thus, an exerciser has to have several kettlebells of varying weights in order to complete one workout.

Therefore, what is needed is an exercise devise similar to a kettlebell, whose weight can be adjusted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exercise device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the assembled device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exercise device according to an embodiment of the invention is referred to, in general, by the reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The device 10 includes a curved plate 12, a handle 14 mounted to the upper surface of the plate 12, and an externally threaded stem 16 affixed to the center of the inner surface of the plate. The plate 12, the handle 14, and the stem 16 can be formed integrally, or the handle and/or the stem can be secured to the plate in any conventional manner.

An upper, annular, curved, enclosure portion 20 has two circular open ends, one of which (the upper end as viewed in the drawing) is sized to receive the plate 12. An annular flange, or lip, 20 a extends out from the other end of the enclosure portion 20, for reasons to be described.

A circular base 24 receives an annular, curved, lower enclosure portion 26 that has two circular, open ends, the lower one of which is supported by the base. To this end, an outer annular, radially-extending lip 24 a is provided on the base 24 and is sized to receive the lower end of the enclosure portion 26. The other end of the enclosure portion 26 is sized to receive the lower end of the enclosure portion 20, with the lip 20 a extending within the inner diameter of the corresponding upper portion of the enclosure portion 26 in a close fit.

An externally and internally threaded stem 28 is affixed to the center of the inner surface of the base 24, and extends through the enclosure portion 26. The stem 16 can be formed integrally with the base 24, or it can be secured to the base in any known manner.

A weight assembly 30 is provided that consists of a series of stacked annular weights 30 a, 30 b, 30 c and 30 d, each of which has a central opening slightly larger than the diameter of the stem 28 so that each weight can be placed around the stem. An internally threaded nut 32 extends over the upper weight 30a and threadedly engages the stem 28 to lock the weights 30 a-30 d in place. A central opening is provided through the nut 32 and it is understood that a lock washer, or the like, (not shown) can be provided, as needed to secure the nut in its locking position. The outer surfaces of the weights 30 a-30 d are slightly spaced from, and configured to generally conform to, the corresponding inner surfaces of the enclosure portions 20 and 26. An internally threaded bore extends through the stem 28 and is sized to receive the stem 16 in a threaded engagement.

To assemble the device 10, the lower enclosure portion 26 is placed over the base 24 with the stem extending through the enclosure portion. The weight assembly 30 is lowered into the enclosure portion 26 so that the stem 28 extends through the openings in the weights 30 a-30 d. The nut 32 is then threadedly engaged with the upper end portion of the stem 28 to lock the weights 30 a-30 d in place. The upper enclosure portion 20 is then lowered over the weight assembly 30 until the lip 20 a extends within the inner diameter of the corresponding upper portion of the lower enclosure portion 26 in a close fit. The plate 12 is then lowered over the enclosure portion 20 until the stem 16 threadedly engages the stem 28. The plate 12, and therefore the stem 16, are rotated to tighten the plate, and therefore the upper enclosure portion 20, relative to the lower enclosure portion 26 to enclose the weight assembly in the enclosure formed by the plate 12, the base 24, and the enclosure portions 20 and 26, as shown in FIG. 2.

Of course, the number of weights 30 a-30 d in the weight assembly 30 can be varied as necessary to change the overall weight of the device 10. Also, one or more of the weights 30 a-30 d can be replaced by another weight of a different weight. In each case, the plate 12, and therefore the stem 16, are rotated until the engagement of the stem 16 with the stem 28 is released. The enclosure portion 20 and the nut 32 are removed and one or more of the weights 30 a-30 d are removed or replaced as needed, depending on the particular exercise. Then the above-described assembly procedure is repeated to lock the weights 30 a-30 d in place, and to lock the enclosure portions 20 and 26 between the plate 12 and the base 24.

Therefore, when using the device 10, one can change weights during a workout, depending on the particular desired exercise, without having to resort to use of another separate device.

VARIATIONS

It is understood that variations can be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the enclosure portion 26 can be placed on the base 24 after the weights 30 a-30 d are tightened over the base 24, as described above. Also, the number of weights in the assembly 30 can be varied, and each weight 30 a-30 d of the assembly can be different from, or the same as, the other weights in the assembly.

It is understood that spatial references, such as “upper”, “lower”, “radial”, “outer”, “over”, “between”, “inner”, and “surrounding” are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific orientation or location of the layers described above.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. 

1. An exercise device comprising: an enclosure; at least one weight disposed in the enclosure; and a locking mechanism that locks the at least one weight in the enclosure.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises at least two portions and wherein the locking mechanism also locks the portions together.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises a base, a top plate, and at least one enclosure portion extending between the base and the top plate, and wherein the locking mechanism locks the at least one enclosure portion between the base and the plate and locks the weights to the base.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a stem extending from the base and adapted to receive the weights, and a nut threadedly engaging the stem for locking the weights relative to the stem.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein the locking mechanism further comprises another stem extending from the plate and adapted to threadedly engage the first-mentioned stem to lock the at least one enclosure portion between the plate and the base to form the enclosure.
 6. The device of claim 1 further comprising a handle connected to the enclosure.
 7. An exercise device comprising: an enclosure; at least one weight disposed in the enclosure; and means for locking the at least one weight in the enclosure.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein the enclosure comprises at least two portions and wherein the locking mechanism also locks the portions together.
 9. The device of claim 7 wherein the enclosure comprises a base, a top plate, and at least one enclosure portion extending between the base and the top plate, and wherein the locking mechanism locks the at least one enclosure portion between the base and the plate and locks the weights to the base.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a stem extending from the base and adapted to receive the weights, and a nut threadedly engaging the stem for locking the weights relative to the stem.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein the locking mechanism further comprises another stem extending from the plate and adapted to threadedly engage the first-mentioned stem to lock the at least one enclosure portion between the plate and the base to form the enclosure.
 12. The device of claim 7 further comprising a handle connected to the enclosure.
 13. An exercise device comprising: at least two enclosure portions; at least one weight; and a mechanism for locking the two enclosure portions together to form an enclosure and for locking the at least one weight in the enclosure.
 14. The device of claim 13 further comprising a base, a plate, and wherein the mechanism locks the at least two enclosure portions between the base and the plate and locks the weights to the base.
 15. The device of claim 14 wherein the mechanism comprises a stem extending from the base and adapted to receive the weights, and a nut threadedly engaging the stem for locking the weights relative to the stem.
 16. The device of claim 15 wherein the mechanism further comprises another stem extending from the plate and adapted to threadedly engage the first-mentioned stem to lock the at least two enclosure portions between the plate and the base to form the enclosure.
 17. The device of claim 13 further comprising a handle connected to one of the enclosure portions.
 18. A method comprising: locking at least one weight in an enclosure, the weight of the at least one weight corresponding to a particular exercise; unlocking the at least one weight from the enclosure; and locking another weight in the enclosure, the weight of the other weight corresponding to another exercise that is different from the particular exercise.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the first step of locking comprises locking a plurality of weights in the enclosure, and wherein the step of unlocking comprises unlocking the plurality of weights from the enclosure; and further comprising substituting at least one new weight for at least one of the unlocked weights before the second step of locking.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising attaching a handle to the enclosure to enable the enclosure to be swung about during the exercises. 